The Utah Historical Society (UHS) seeks a field services professional to be the inaugural Director of Local History Services. The Director of Local History Services (DLHS) will be responsible for developing and implementing programming statewide that supports public history organizations across Utah, such as historical societies, cultural heritage organizations, history museums, and others who serve the public. The DLHS will develop programs that support capacity-building for the public history network and work in partnership with other statewide providers, such as the Utah Division of Arts & Museums and Utah Humanities, to amplify field services work across the state.

As the Utah Historical Society looks to 2026 and the opening of the Museum of Utah, the DLHS will have the opportunity to build the agency’s support and capacity-building network from the ground-up, ensuring that UHS provides resources and support to small public history organizations across Utah, and ensures their ability to thrive in their communities.

 
UHS practices inclusiveness in the work that we do and across our organization. We recognize the diverse strengths, needs, voices, and backgrounds of all members of our community and are committed to the equitable treatment of all people and the elimination of discrimination in all its forms.  
 
About Us: Founded in 1897, Utah Historical Society works to foster curiosity about the past, inform the present, and strengthen our shared future. The agency continues to share the state’s history through six major initiatives, including public history, women’s history initiative, publications, Peoples of Utah Revisited, Library & Collections, and the Museum of Utah. Learn more about our work at history.utah.gov and explore our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan (Download PDF reader).

Principal Duties
The Director of Local History Services duties include:

• Strategy & Planning: Lead the design, development,  implementation, and evaluation of the Local History Services program at UHS, ensuring all outreach work falls under a unified vision and aligns with broader organizational priorities from our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. Ensure that programs that are developed and implemented amplify existing field services work across the state through partners. Identify clear, measurable short- and long-term goals, and effectively communicate goals to UHS and the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement leadership. 
• Professional Development: develop and implement training and capacity-building programs that support public history organizations statewide, including but not limited, to the We Are Utah program housed at the Museum of Utah and future StEPS-UT cohorts.
• Leadership & Collaboration: The successful incumbent will serve as a leader in the sector, working in close partnership with  field services providers, such as Utah Humanities and the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, to provide holistic services to the public history field.  This position will directly oversee one FTE and additional part-time staff members. The Director will work to elevate UHS’ presence in the public history and field services fields by participating in state, regional, and national networks in a professional capacity. 
• Fostering Utah History Networks: Actively develop and cultivate strong relationships and partnerships with local and regional historical societies and history museums across the state; connect these organizations to resources and build a sustainable network through convenings, communication, and collaboration.  Through this network, identify the needs in the public history community and create action plans to meet them as they align with our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and priorities. 
• Operational Budgets and Annual Plans: the Director will manage a Local History Services annual plan and budget, allocating funds for programs according to the needs for the year. Additionally, the Director will identify, track, and report metrics for programs, focusing on long- term impact. The Director will serve as a mentor to the staff they manage and assist in developing program budgets and annual plans. 

Ideal Candidate/Qualifications 
The successful candidate will be a self-starter and someone with significant knowledge of the small history organizational landscape in Utah. Ideal qualifications include:

• Demonstrated career growth and development of responsibilities in the public history field, with a focus on providing professional development services to adult audiences. 
• Ability to meet public history organizations where they are, approaching professional development and capacity building opportunities with care and empathy; the preferred candidate will be expected to be aware of and follow the Field Services Alliance Code of Ethics and other FSA best practices. 
• Demonstrated project management experience, with strong leadership of staff and collaborative efforts.
• Demonstrated experience in program and curriculum development.
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills; demonstrated written communication skills.
• Required in-state travel, approximately 25-35% of the time. 
• This position is based out of the Utah Historical Society’s office in Salt Lake City, UT  and will be housed at the Museum of Utah beginning in 2026. 

Work Location
This position may be eligible for a hybrid/flexible work schedule with some required in-office days each week after training during your first weeks of employment. Our office is located at 3760 S Highland Drive office/Utah State Capitol Complex, 350 State Street, Salt Lake City Utah. Note: As of July 1, 2021, State of Utah Employees must either reside in Utah or be in the process of relocating to within 30 days of their start date.

Why You Should Join Our Team
We make a difference in peoples’ lives every day. The State of Utah offers a total compensation package that consists of much more than your paycheck. We have an extremely competitive total compensation package that you can learn about HERE! We offer excellent benefits, a positive work environment, a work-life balance through paid time off allowing you to spend more time with your family, and fabulous co-workers (if we do say so ourselves). Supplemental Information

• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.

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